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The
Incredible String Band was arguably one of the most engaging groups
to emerge from the esoteric 1960s. Basically the duo of Mike Heron and
Robin Williamson, their sound was comprised of haunting Celtic folk
melodies augmented by a variety of Middle Eastern and Asian instruments.
In the late 60s, the ISB became major players on the burgeoning
underground scene, sharing bills with the likes of Pink Floyd at
London's UFO club and acquiring cult status with the cognoscenti after
the 1967 release of their album, '5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The
Onion'. John Peel soon became a big fan and was quick to get them to
record sessions for his BBC Radio 1 shows.
The Incredible String Band adopted an adventurous approach to their BBC
radio sessions, using them to try out new, non-album material or
radically rearrange older songs, encompassing a remarkable variety of
instrumentation and genres.
This double CD contains 13 previously unreleased recordings and has been
compiled and released with the full co-operation of the band.
The accompanying 24 page booklet includes rare photographs,
comprehensive liner notes and a full BBC sessionography, plus an
additional note from Mike Heron and lyrics to several of the featured
songs.
"An
absolutely indispensable record from the wealth of ISB session material
that survives… there are some genuine masterpieces" - Record
Collector (4 stars)
"The sheer
stylistic range of the material hare is astonishing… marvellously
detailed liner notes" All Music Guide
HUX087
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